British PM to become a Catholic, family priest hints

Published: 14 May 2007

The British press is abuzz with speculation that outgoing Prime
Minister Tony Blair is about to join his wife Cherie as a Catholic
after a British priest who says weekly Mass for the family made the
prediction at a recent event.

Fr
Michael Seed, who is known for bringing high-profile politicians and
aristocrats into the Catholic fold, made the prediction to friends at a
recent memorial service, Times Online reports.

According
to the paper, when contacted Fr Seed did not deny his comments, but
said he did not know if Mr Blair would ever be received "formally" into
the Roman Catholic Church.

To do so he would have to take part
in a ceremony called the rite of Christian initiation for adults,
followed by confirmation and taking the sacrament of Holy Communion.

Father
Seed said: "He's been going to Mass every Sunday. He goes on his own
when he is abroad, not just when he is with his wife and children."

Another
church source said that many of the early saints and martyrs were not
baptised. Such people were held to have had a "baptism of desire".

He
said that Mr Blair was a Catholic by desire and that this did not
necessitate a formal conversion. "He is an ecumenical Catholic," said
the source. "He is a liberal Catholic. In terms of his private life, he
is a Roman Catholic."

Although technically an Anglican, Mr Blair
only "darkened the door" of Anglican churches on state and other formal
occasions, he added.

Downing Street would not comment on the
suggestion that Mr Blair would declare himself a Catholic. A spokesman
said: "This story is always circulating in one form or another. The PM
remains a member of the Church of England."